THAILAND has made clear that it will not allow pressure to compromise its position or sovereignty ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled in Malaysia tomorrow, where efforts will focus on addressing the protracted border conflict with Cambodia.
Deputy spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maratee Nalita Andamo, said that Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will lead the delegation to Malaysia in pursuit of a peaceful resolution that safeguards the nation’s territorial integrity.
“Thailand’s stance is clear: we seek lasting peace and have never violated the sovereignty of another country, but Cambodia must demonstrate sincerity on this matter,” she stated.
The conflict has intensified on the ground. According to Khmer Times, as of 7 a.m. today, Thai troops were shelling Thma Daun village, the Thmar Daun battlefield, and the area surrounding Ta Moan Temple in Oddar Meanchey Province.
Prasat Ta Muen Thom, a significant Khmer Hindu temple complex along the Thai-Cambodian border, sits on an ancient Angkorian highway and forms part of a larger network of sites including Ta Muen Toch and Ta Muen rest house.
In a separate escalation, Thai authorities condemned what they described as Cambodian BM-21 rocket attacks targeting civilian areas, resulting in damage to homes and the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.
Cambodia, in turn, claimed via local media that Thailand had conducted airstrikes using fighter jets, destroying O’ Jik Bridge, several commercial buildings, and a primary school in Pursat Province.
The intensifying clashes have drawn international attention. China dispatched Deng Xijun, its special envoy for Asian Affairs, to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss urgent de-escalation measures and an immediate ceasefire.
Casualties have mounted on both sides.
Thai officials reported 21 soldiers and one civilian killed, while Cambodia’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed 18 civilian deaths and 78 injuries.
Despite prior efforts to secure peace, including an agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur last October in the presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, hostilities resumed after a series of violent incidents.
Thailand stressed that any resolution mechanisms proposed by ASEAN must be impartial, safeguarding its sovereignty from violations by any party.
“While we value ASEAN’s role as mediator, national sovereignty remains a non-negotiable priority,” officials said.
In preparation for the upcoming negotiations, Thai authorities are compiling technical evidence and detailed mapping documentation to strengthen their position.
Citizens in border areas have been urged to remain calm and avoid provocations, as diplomatic efforts continue to address the crisis at the negotiating table.
The renewed fighting is part of a longstanding territorial dispute over colonial-era border demarcations and the location of ancient temple ruins, which has repeatedly sparked violence, including a deadly confrontation in July claiming at least 48 lives.
Thai military operations have included airstrikes targeting Cambodian casino buildings near Thmor Da in Pursat Province, which were reportedly converted into forward command centres for artillery, drones, and BM-21 rocket deployments.
Thai officials described the strikes as necessary to suppress military threats, using combined artillery and F-16 air raids to neutralise fortified structures while minimising collateral damage. Cambodia has not provided information regarding military casualties.
The latest developments underscore the fragile situation along the 800-kilometre border, highlighting the challenges ASEAN faces in mediating disputes while respecting member states’ sovereignty and ensuring adherence to justice and fairness in regional conflict resolution. - December 21, 2025
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